Innovative and Experimental: Stacey Bentley Jewelry

Innovative and experimental.

These are the words that come to

mind when viewing work created

by Stacey Bentley.

Using iron, wire, silver 

and enamels this artist is changing the

face of enamel jewelry and 

exploring a method of expression that

breaks away from traditional

ideas and processes.

Her work in enamel is unconventional.

Going beyond standard procedures

she creates pieces where the enamel rises

above the surface of the metal rather

 than fusing onto it.

By underfiring the enamel she

 produces gritty textures and matte finishes

that evoke the urban landscape.

This helps us understand her

fascination with the raw industrial

contrast of life, corrosion and decay.

Each framework she creates is also unusual.

 Shapes are organic, layered and

have varied thickness. Each contributes

additional interest and texture to her designs.

 Here's are examples of her work that emphasize

 rich colors and unusual textures.

It gets even more intriguing when she

removes some of the enamel to reveal

the metal framework beneath.

Geometric shapes are occasionally

 combined with her asymmetrical designs.

We like how she experiments with each

aspect of the metalsmithing process

 as well as the enameling process.

Each structure seems haphazard yet

controlled at the same time.

For those familiar with the smooth velvet surfaces

 of enamels and the painterly aspects of

its application these pieces might seem

unusual and disconcerting.

We are inspired by this artist's willingness

to push the boundaries of what jewelry should

look like and how enamels should feel.

We admire her innovations

and experimentation.

What do you think?

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Sharon Massey Jewelry

 Since when does someone use rust as

part of their jewelry design?

Metalsmith Sharon Massey has decided that

rust is a necessary component of her vision.

She creates jewelry that celebrates the old,

 the worn, the layers of history that

reside in her surroundings.

 Rust fits perfectly into this vision.

It reflects the idea that things gain more

personality and character as they age.

Her work is made primarily of non-precious

materials - things like iron wire and

cotton muslin. The structures of her pieces

are based on ornamental patterns

 of ironwork as found in bridges, buildings

and other symbols of industrial life.

It's softened with cloth that is manually

inserted into the metal, and

then to celebrate the discolorations

and the flaws inherent in all things,

this artist uses self-initiated rust.

 

It's a vision that she defines

simply and eloquently on her site:

 

 

 

 

My work is a response to things I find beautiful. . .  I am drawn to rusted steel, peeling paint, and faded fabric—images in a state of decay that suggest layers of history and personal stories.  Living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is a rich source of inspiration for my work.  The history of the steel industry in Pittsburgh is evident throughout the city, which is why steel and iron are the primary materials in my work.  I appropriate the ironwork designs that I see everyday, and I allow my pieces to rust, hoping to give them the aged quality that is so attractive to me. . . I’m not interested in merely recreating these things—that would be easier with a camera.  I’m trying to capture the essence of the beauty of Pittsburgh, make it tangible, and share it through jewelry.

 

The more we ponder her ideas, the more we

appreciate her work.

This bracelet is a perfect example of her

use of iron wire, white cotton muslin and rust,

 with the techniques she

uses to create her pieces.

We especially admire that while it

looks as though it would be heavy

and dense, in reality it's lightweight -

as are all of her pieces.

These Pink Cuffs are made with

similar materials. We like their daintiness

and subtle colors.

This necklace is called, My Version of a Pearl Necklace

and it includes pearls, silk, and gold.

Here we see a brooch that features the

concave side of her pieces - and it's

equally intriguing. Entitled Cameo Brooch

it also uses iron wire, cotton muslin, rust,

silver and gold.

We appreciate and admire

jewelry that features unusual materials

used in unconventional ways to express

a point of view.

We find it to be inspiring.

Enjoy!

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